Jack Leland Crittenden

Jack Leland Crittenden was born on June 4, 1933, in Baron, Oklahoma to Luke and Cleo (Kirby) Crittenden. Jack and his siblings were raised in Westville, Oklahoma by his grandparents Ma & Pa Kirby. Jack graduated from Westville High School in 1951. In 1953, Jack married the love of his life, Marilyn Louise Prescott of Lincoln, Arkansas. Jack entered the U.S. Navy in 1953 and served in an air transport squadron in Norfolk, Virginia from 1953 to 1955.  

While stationed in Norfolk, Marilyn had their first child, Jack Edward Crittenden. Following his discharge, Jack and Marilyn moved to Tahlequah Oklahoma where they each received their Bachelor's and Master's degrees in education from Northeastern State University. While attending NSU, Marilyn had their second child, Pamela Jane Crittenden.  

Jack taught and coached at Hulbert High School for two years. Upon leaving Hulbert, the family moved to Verona, Missouri where Jack taught drivers education, drafting and wood shop for five years.  

Jack and Marilyn then moved back to Tahlequah in 1964, where he taught drafting, metal and wood shop at Sequoyah High School, eventually retiring as an educator after a 36-year career. Through an 8-year period, he also taught evening Industrial Arts College Classes at NSU.   Jack Officiated high school and collegiate football and basketball games throughout Oklahoma and Missouri for 23 years. Over many years, Jack and his brother Don ranched Charolais cattle. In 1964, Jack co-founded Cherokee Pest Control, which he owned and operated for 60 years, the remainder of his life. As the Owner of Cherokee Pest Control, Jack was the longest standing TERO Member of the Cherokee Nation. 

In his younger years, Jack was an avid quail hunter and fisherman. He trained many good bird dogs and enjoyed several decades of raising successful racehorses, with dozens of wins and awards, including "Wise American" voted the Oklahoma Bred Quarter Horse of the Year.    

Jack was preceded in death by his brother Donald "Chief" Crittenden and a nephew Philip "Pooch" Crittenden, as well as parents Luke and Cleo Crittenden. Jack is survived by his wife Marilyn Louise Crittenden of the home and sister Fleta Statema of Tahlequah, OK; his children Ed Crittenden of Tahlequah, OK, and Pam Nipper & husband Truman Nipper of Tahlequah, OK; his grandchildren Kenley Nipper and Tyler Nipper & fiancé Colby Morrow, as well as two great grandchildren, Jackson and Gracen Nipper. Jack also leaves behind nephews Chris Crittenden and wife Sherry, Kelley Crittenden, Ronnie Statema, and niece Sherry Statema, as well as step-grandson Joshua Nipper and wife Jolene, and great nephews and nieces Jeremy Crittenden, Shelby Crittenden, Nick Crittenden, Connor Crittenden, Brett Statema, Kristy Statema, Chelsea Compton, as well as many cousins and dear friends.